WHATSAPP will soon stop working on millions of older smartphones.
The November deadline is fast approaching – and will lock some iPhones and Android phones off WhatsApp forever.
1
Affected users will need to either update their software or buy a new phone.
It’s possible that your handset may be too old to update, so you’ll need to get a new mobile anyway.
More than 40 different smartphone models are expected to be affected.
The deadline for the update is November 1, after which point WhatsApp will cease to work.
Next top models
For Android users, you’ll need to be running Android 4.1 or later.
And for iPhone users, you’ll need to be on iOS 10 or later.
On the Android front, that means a host of popular phones will lose access, including the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Huawei Ascend Mate.
For Apple, you’ll lose access on an iPhone 4 or older.
And if you’ve never updated your iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus or iPhone SE (2016), you’ll lose access until you update.
That’s because they launched on iOS 9.
But you can update all three models to iOS 15 – the latest version – and keep access to WhatsApp.
End times
Tech companies regularly stop supporting older devices.
Google did just that with old Android phones for Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps.
Sometimes it’s because it’s simply not cost-efficient to keep apps working on very old versions of iOS or Android.
That’s especially the case if only a small percentage of users are running these old versions of software.
Using outdated software can also be a huge security risk – so it’s important you update, or upgrade if you can’t.
- Read all the latest Phones & Gadgets news
- Keep up-to-date on Apple stories
- Get the latest on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram
Best Phone and Gadget tips and hacks
Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find those secret features within social media apps? We have you covered…
- How to get your deleted Instagram photos back
- How to track someone on Google Maps
- How can I increase my Snapchat score?
- How can I change my Facebook password?
- How can I do a duet on TikTok?
- Here’s how to see if your Gmail has been hacked
- How can I change my Amazon Alexa voice in seconds?
- What is dating app Bumble?
- How can I test my broadband internet speed?
- Here’s how to find your Sky TV remote in SECONDS
In other news, check out our iPhone 13 review and iPhone 13 Pro review.
Take a look at the new Lamborghini Huracan Evo that can clean your house and cook you dinner.
Find out about the wildly impressive Panasonic 65HZ1000 TV, which makes most tellies look rubbish.
Read our complete guide to Call of Duty Vanguard.
And Dell’s Alienware R10 Ryzen Edition is a gaming PC powerhouse that crushes both the new consoles.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for Central Recorder Online Tech & Science team?